Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Brookfield, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.1% of gross income.
Brookfield rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Brookfield, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookfield
View full rent data for Brookfield, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Brookfield, WI?
Median rent in Brookfield is $2,174 a month. A typical carpenter in Wisconsin earns about $57,893 a year, which makes that rent 45.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Brookfield?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Wisconsin (~$57,893/yr) supports up to $1,447 a month in rent. Brookfield's current median rent is $2,174/mo, which is $727/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Brookfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a carpenter in Wisconsin works roughly 78.1 hours a month to cover Brookfield's median rent of $2,174.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookfield for a carpenter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Menomonee Falls ($2,128/mo), Verona ($2,089/mo), Verona ($2,065/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.